The warmth helped their flagging spirits, and finally one by one they reached the top. The other side was not as steep, and Veldahar flew back down to land beside Bast. “Come on, this way.” He said, moving to lead the way along the trail, which felt so easy compared to the last climb. Iris was trembling as she reached the top, hugging onto Lyuthi. She smiled at her, “Thanks.” She said softly, as she walked after the others.

Chert brought up the rear with Johanna, and he sat down as he reached the top, a hand moving below his cloak to rub at his chest. “Made it… knew I could…” He mumbled to himself, breathing hard.

Keelin sighed in relif as they got over, keeping close to Cade and hugging his arm. Finally they were through.

Lyuthi smiled at Iris, holding onto her as they kept going. “Its fine, how are your small cuts?” She hoped her healing was helping a little. She looked around te group but just focused on helping Iris, her own coldness turning numb.

Cade helped Keelin and when she hugged his arm he squeezed her gently smiling. “See? It should be a bit easier now.” He said still smiling.

Johanna let out a small sigh as the warmt left the group unable to keep her magic working for long. “MAster, how are you?” She asked looking down at him then she looked to Chert. “You okay old man~?”
 
Chert bristled, getting to his feet. “Old man!? WHo are you calling old!?” He huffed, and Silver laughed, “I think he’ll be fine.” He said. “I’m good, you can put me down now, I’ll walk.”

Iris smiled, finally releasing Lyuthi and looking at her hands, which were healing already. “Seems like they’re fine.” She said with a smile. “We need to find shelter soon.”

Bast agreed, as the first snow began to fall on the group he urged them on, Veldahar leading them to a cave he’d found when scouting ahead.

Jing kept close to Bast, shivering more and clinging to his arm. She haded snow, she really hated snow!

Keelin looked at Cade and smiled, “Yes your right. And I’m glad.”

“I will not master!” Johanna said frowning. “It is too cold, and I prefer keeping you safe with me!” She then winked at Chert.

Lyuthi smiled at Iris, glad she was doing better. “Good. ANd I hope we can stop soon.” Her fingeres and toes were burning now, and her legs ached from walking so much.

Cade smiled back, keeping his arm around hers. “Me too! I think they found us a stopping point.” All of his fur was frost tipped and he sneezed once because of the snow on his nose.

Silver pouted, “But I’m nice and warm, and everyone else is all cold and tired!” He pointed out. “And look, a cave!” Veldahar had already entered, and started a warm fire towards the back. The others filed in, sinking one by one gratefully to the ground.

Lei went over to Veldahar, smiling at him. “Rest with Lyuthi. I’ll get a fire and some food going.” She offered, knowing he would be as cold as the others.

Jing sighed as they got to the cave, finding a place to sit down and pulling Bast down with her so she could keep close to him and have her tail wrap around them both. Her feet were completly numb from the cold and covered in snow and frost. “Stupid snow… stupid cold…” She muttered, closing her eyes.

Keelin nodded, shivering still and hurrying to get to the cave with Cade, he was probably freezing since he had given her the jacker.

Johanna sighed but nodded finally letting him go. “Yes Master.” She said following him.

Lyuthi stayed with Iris but when they reached the cave she let the bubble pop then moved to sit alone.

Cade moved inside with Keelin and immediately pulled out his large blanket, pulling her down with him so he could wrap the blanket around them. He then motioned for Iris to join them.

Bast was going to help get everyone settled, but was forestalled by Jing. He chuckled as he plopped down beside her, and moved to grab her feet, cleaning the snow off each and rubbing them as they sat close to the fire.

Veldahar nodded, “Thanks.” He said, walking to Lyuthi’s side, shivering again as he sat down, extending his frosted toes to the fire, and letting his wings disappear. “Doing okay?” He asked her.

Chert sat to one side, brushing off snow and taking his boots off to warm his toes towards the fire. “Thank goodness.” He grumbled.

Silver boudned ahead into the cave, looking about and moving to explore it deep into the back while the others settled in. Chert watched him and rolled his eyes. “Since he didn’t have to climb he’s the only one with any energy left!”

Iris saw Cade move with Keelin, and hesitated, then walked over to sit beside them, shivering slightly as she brushed snow off her dress.

Jing watched Bast, keeping close to him and waiting for the fire to warm them. Normally her feet were ticklish, but they were to numb at the moment to even be tickled.

Lei sighed as she got the fire going then went over to Chert, “you doing alright?”

Keelin kept close to Cade and Iris, sighing softly and waiting to be warmed up.

Johanna followed Silver but stuck her tongue out at Chert. “He is also half your size and willing to take the help unlike you.” She said following the jerboa.

Lyuthi looked to Veldahar and nodded pulling the snow and ice of her aching feet. “Yup.” She said quietly, shivering.

Cade moved to wrap around Iris and rubbed the snow off his nose. He was shivering now. “…I am glad we are settling now.” He said quietly as he moved to hide under the blankets slightly.

Iris smiled and nodded, “Just in time too.” She said, snuggling under the blanket as she watched the others. Bast and Jing looked so cute together…

Veldahar moved closer to Lyuthi, wrapping his cloak around her as he hugged her close, “Quite cold all of a sudden eh?”

Chert humphed, but nodded to Lei, “I’m fine, a little cold never killed a tonu.” He said, defrosting his feet towards the fire.

Jing closed her eyes, relaxing close to Bast and a small smile on her face.

Keelin yawned softly, relaxing and jsut letting herself warm up and she started to drift off to sleep.

Lei chuckled and nodded, “I can see that but I want to make sure.”

Cade curled up under the blankets shivered once then wrapped his tail around himself. He closed his eyes but didn’t fall asleep.

Johanna smirked as she followed Silver. “Master, where are you going?” She asked quietly.

Lyuthi nodded and clung to him as soon as he hugged her, absorbing his warmth, he cold feel she was freezing too. “My feet are so cold.” She said quietly.

Veldahar pulled her close, laughing slightly, “So are mine.” He said, as he moved the two closer to the fire so they could place their feet close to it’s warmth. “The fire will help.” He nodded.

Once he’d done with her feet, Bast moved back to sit beside Jing, wrapping their cloaks and bedrolls around them, and hugging her close. “Feeling better?”

Chert nodded, “Well, thanks for asking.” He said, pulling his cloak closer around him.

Iris glanced sideways at Cade, and smiled faintly, edging a bit closer. For warmth of course.

Silver had turned a corner and the light of the fire was left behind as he looked around. “Well, someone has to make sure the cave isn’t already inhabited.” He said with a nod.

Jing nodded, cuddling close to bast and sighing, “Yes I am, thank you Bast.”

Lei chuckled a little and moved off to a different spot to sit by herself and streatched. Since she wasn’t cold she would take the first watch of the night once everyone else fell asleep.

Johanna smiled and soon was the same size as him and she raced beside him. “Sounds fun!” She said with a grin.

Lyuthi rested her head against him, letting her mind wander as she stared at the fire. The longer she stared at it though the more her heart hurt and she turned, burying her face in his chest. “Hold me close..” She whispered into his chest smiling as she took in his scent. 

Cade didn’t notice Iris move closer and let out a soft sigh before going to sleep. He was tired.

Veldahar blinked at her, but did as told, hugging her close, and stroking her long hair. “Are you okay?” He asked quietly.

Silver grinned, slowing down as it got dark, looking around, sniffing as he moved forward slowly.

Chert watched the others, noticing the two couples and… the threesome with some mild curiosity. That boy sure was something, playing the gallant man but playing with two girls like that, he wondered how long before one or both were hurt.

Lei watched them all, smiling a little, seemed everyone was together with someone and happy. Well besides Chert but she belived that the tonu prefured it that way.

Jing yawned a little, relaxing more and cuddling bast, nuzzling his neck a small bit without thinking. “Mnnn… night Bast…”

Lyuthi nodded and was glad he couldn’t see her face when she wrapped her arms tightly around him. She was happy they stopped at night, she desperately needed someone to cling to..and Veldahar fit so perfectly in her arms.

Johanna held out her hand and her small lamp appeared in her hand lighting their way. “Wicked cool cave Master… Wonder what used to live here….”

“Hopefully it still does!” Silver said, looking around for any tracks. “A monster of some kind perhaps? A slimy, tentacle-ridled monster with one HUGE eye and jaws as sharp as kives!”

Veldahar looked at her rather confused, but just relaxed with her in his arms, closing his eyes as he began to doze off.

Bast tensed, hairs on the back of his neck standing on end at the nuzze. “N…nigt!” He squeaked.

Jing blinked a couple times, looking up at Bast confused, “Is something wrong?” She asked, refuring to the squeak.

“Yes! Ugly and slobbering acid! Green and black speckled.” She said with a giggle.

Lyuthi nuzzled her face into his chest enjoying his warmth. “Good night.” She whispered getting comfortable. Maybe she wouldn’t have nightmares tonight.

“N…nothing’s wrong.” Bast smiled, patting her and moving her a bit lower so she couldn’t reach his neck.

“Good night Lyuthi, sleep well.” Veldahar said softly.

Silver nodded vigorously, “Oh yes, maybe it’ll spit acid like the slug we found in the sla-mousi!”

Jing watched Bast confused but then shrugged, cuddling close to him and closing her eyes as her long fluffy tail wrapped around them both. “Night.”

Lyuthi smiled as she almost instantly fell asleep. Her tail wrapping around his.(I wonder if her feathers ever tickle anyone…*looks at Atori*)

Johanna gasped. “Oh awesome..That would be cool….Let’s keep exploring!”

But Silver was disappointed a few feet later as they came to a dead end, with no tentacled monster. “Aw…. that’s so boring.” He sighed.

Johanna pouted and looked around. “Well that is boring.” She said then poked him with her tails. “Maybe next cave.” She stretched up. “Tired yet?”

“I suppose so.” He sighed, turning to walk back. “Or maybe I can convince Lei to let me take first watch!” He perked up, that would be exciting!

Johanna smiled. “Maybe! We could stay up and exchange stories!” She said turning back to her normal self.

Silver made it back to the main cave with Johanna, the rest already asleep by now. He walked over to Lei with a smile, “I can take first watch!” He whispered.

Lei blinked in suprise but smiled at Silver. “Sure thing, wake meup in three hours and I’ll take the next shift.” She said, moving a bit to find a place to lay down on her own to fall asleep.

Johanna sat with Silver and nodded to Lei. Three hours. How would normal people calculate three hours without watches?

Silver beamed at the vote of confidence, and moved to the entrance of the cave, shivering slightly as the wind and snow reached him. “Don’t think much will happen tonight though.” He said ruefully as he found a perch on a rock and pulled his cloak around him closer.

Johanna walked beside him and nodded. ‘Probably not. But I think your friends need it…I guess.’ She said sitting on the ground beside him. “Don’t get too cold master, I am very warm~ and so are my tails~” She said and all four rose then fell.

He grinned, “I know, but the cold helps to keep us awake.” He said, turning to look out into the storm, eyes glaring into the darkness, ears alert. He was on watch! All his friends were now trusting him to keep them from danger.

Johanna smiled watching him. “You seem so excited master.” She said scanning the area. Cade would throw a fit if she didn’t protect his precious friends. She did want to protect Silver…but the others?

“Well I’ve never been on watch before!” He admitted, turning to look back at Johanna. “Bast says I’m too easily distracted.”

Johanna smiled. “Like now?” She said looking out at the storm. “You have to focus on protecting your friends right?”

He turned back to the entrance, “I am!” He said, shivering slightly, “Though really, who would be out in a storm like this? THey’d be plain crazy!”

‘Plenty of people.’ She said idley as her tails shifted boredly.

Like who?” He asked curiously, looking back at her.

‘If people want to kill your group snow won’t stop them’ She said looking out. “Distracted again?” She said with a smirk but didn’t look at him. ‘Anyone following the group.’

Silver turned back to look into the storm. “You think they would find this cave? Bast said we’d probably left behind any pursuers, that they don’t know where we are…”

Johanna shrugged. “Who knows with magic these days.” She said watching the snow. “He said probably, meaning there is a chance.”